Starlings and Optimists - Big fleet expected at Queen Charlotte
by Christel Hopkins 11 Feb 2019 03:53 PST
12 February 2019
Harry Harry Edwards - Starling sailor - winner of Nationals Starling match racing © Queen Charlotte Yacht Club
The Interislander regatta is less than two weeks away. It is the only South Island ranking regatta for Optimist sailors in NZ. The event has been going from strength to strength and is now in its 11th year. Picton and Queen Charlotte Yacht Club will again welcome sailors and support crew from all around the country.
This is a great, important event for our little sailing club. It also benefits Picton and Marlborough as Hundreds of sailors will come to Picton to not just sail but enjoy its hospitality. Some families come a week in advance.
As evident by the already in place new platform at QCYC, the club is in process of building a new water-sport facility at Shelley Beach to enhance all what Picton has to offer. QCYC might not have a new club yet but this is no reason to have another awesome regatta. We have the club’s new floor; a great bunch of volunteers and I am sure there will be wind and some fabulous sailing. The outside café will be open all day Fri-Sun. Come along to cheer on our QCYC sailors. There will be around 20 of them divided over the different fleets.
Short program
Thursday: 3pm registration all fleets- kitchen bar open
Friday: Coffee and Breakfast from 7am. 9am Sailors welcome Opening and firing of the canon. At 10am Open Optimist fleet and Starling fleets head out to the sailing area. Three races. After racing “Taste of Marlborough for VIP and sailing families.
Saturday: Coffee and Breakfast from 7.30 am. After yachts head out at 9.30am (Open Opti and starling) to sail their races in the outer sailing area the Green and Rainbow Optimist fleet will have their races in front of QCYC and Shelley Beach for everyone to see.
Sunday: Same timing as Sat. Breakfast from 7.30am and racing both outer sailing area and in front of QCYC. Followed by prizegiving.
Besides placing awards, the Interislander trophy will be up for grabs again to the Island with the highest points awarded by placings in each category.
The best sailors in the country are represented at this regatta. In the Open Optimist fleet, we hope to get over 100 sailors. Local Louie Poletti (12) will most likely be the highest ranked QCYC sailor followed by Moss Hopkins (10) or Fin Stichbury (12).
In the Starling Fleet, look out for Emily Overend (16) and Harry Edwards (14) recently placed 3rd and 1st at the national Starling Match Racing.